Repassivation of titanium and surface oxide film regenerated in simulated bioliquid.

The change in potential during repassivation of titanium in artificial bioliquids was examined, and the regenerated surface oxide film on titanium was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy to elucidate the repassivation reaction of titanium in a biological system. The repassivation rate in Hanks' solution was slower than that in saline and was not influenced by the pH of the solution. This indicates that more titanium ions dissolve in a biological system than hitherto was predicted when the surface film is destroyed. Phosphate ions are taken up preferentially in the surface film during regeneration, and the film consists of titanium oxide and titanium oxyhydroxide containing titanium phosphate. Calcium ions and phosphate ions are adsorbed by the film after regeneration, and calcium phosphate or calcium titanium phosphate is formed at the outermost surface. Ions constituting Hanks' solution other than calcium and phosphate were absent from the surface oxide.